Report on the Presentation of the Book "La patria alla frontiera. Storia dell'irredentismo adriatico" by Fabio Todero

The presentation of the book La patria alla frontiera. Storia dell'irredentismo adriatico by Fabio Todero, published by Laterza, took place last night at the Ubik Bookshop in Trieste. The event, organised by the Regional Institute for the History of the Resistance and Contemporary Age in Friuli Venezia Giulia, featured a lively discussion between the author, historian Raoul Pupo, and Luca G. Manenti, Scientific Director of the International Society for the Dissemination of Historical, Social, and Ethical Studies "Manlio Cecovini".

The meeting opened with an introduction by Pupo, who highlighted the book's significance: “It is not just a good book, but a beautiful one, the kind you read in one sitting.” The discussion immediately brought to light the historiographical value of the work, described by Manenti as a text that finally fills a gap in the history of Adriatic irredentisms, addressing the topic with rigour and originality.

Todero illustrated the complexity of the phenomenon, emphasising that irredentism is not a monolithic concept but a multifaceted reality with different expressions and nuances. Manenti praised the author for using previously unpublished sources that reveal aspects often overlooked, such as the role of political violence and the presence of armed irredentism even before the First World War.

A particularly interesting topic was economic irredentism, often neglected in historiography, which Manenti described as fundamental to understanding the dynamics of the time. The discussion touched on how Trieste's economic fortunes were closely tied to Habsburg policies and how irredentism sought to reinterpret this reality to justify annexation to Italy.

The conversation then focused on language and the origin of the term "irredentism," going beyond traditional historical narratives. Todero demonstrated that the term's usage dates back further than commonly believed, offering a fresh perspective on its political and symbolic significance in shaping national identity.

Another key topic was the role of irredentist exiles, with Manenti expressing a desire for deeper exploration, given their influence in keeping the national cause alive beyond the Adriatic borders.

Critical reflections were not lacking, such as Manenti's on the limited attention given to exiled irredentists outside the Adriatic region, acknowledging the challenge of covering everything in a single volume. Pupo prompted Todero to discuss the relationship between irredentism and fascism, a topic addressed with balance and without oversimplification, highlighting the differences between the various phases of the movement.

The discussion also covered post-war neo-irredentism, which emerged with new forms and actors, such as the Christian Democracy party, marking an evolution from nineteenth-century irredentism in both ideological approach and historical context.

The figure of Guglielmo Oberdan featured prominently, with reflections on his symbolic role and the transformation of his image from irredentist martyr to national icon, including its appropriation by the fascist regime.

Finally, the author connected the historical dynamics of Adriatic irredentism to contemporary territorial claims in Europe, underlining how certain identity and nationalist logics remain relevant today.

It was a thought-provoking event that left the audience with new perspectives on the history and present of borderlands.